Sidekick Mobile Phone with NetBSD: Microsoft's Next?
Over a year ago Microsoft bought the software company Danger, popular in the U.S. for its Sidekick mobile phone. A new model is coming out, this time running on NetBSD.
Indications are clear from the Hiptop3.com site (claiming no affiliation with Danger but still leaning heavily toward Sidekick) that Microsoft is planning to equip its next generation of Sidekick devices with the NetBSD platform. Hinting at this is a Microsoft job posting for a NetBSD developer and a Danger employee mailing list post from a few years back. Apparently Danger had been working on a NetBSD port as far back as 2007.
The Sidekick LX model for 2009, which should start appearing mid-year, runs on an ARM processor. The hardware originates from Motorola and Sharp. For a long time it was assumed that Microsoft would equip the Sidekick with its Zune software based on Windows CE, the only OS from Microsoft with the ARM processor. If the rumors on Hiptop3.com were to prove true, Microsoft is more likely inclined to drop the Windows CE support in favor of the more reliable NetBSD.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.